1. PALESTINE FILM FESTIVAL TO BE HELD MAR 19 TO 22 UNDER
SPONSORSHIP OF IRAQI STATE ORGANIZATION FOR RADIO, TV AND
CINEMA AND WITH COOPERATION OF ARAB LEAGUE AND PLO. OPENING
DATE CHOSEN TO COINCIDE WITH 5 TH ANNIVERSARY OF BATTLE OF
KARAMEH. ACCORDING TO REUTER' S, FESTIVAL WAS INSPIRED BY
DESIRE OF DELEGATES TO 1969 LEIPZIG FILM FESTIVAL TO DRAMATIZE
PALESTINIAN CAUSE. OVER 200 ARAB AND FOREIGN FILM AND TV
PERSONALITIES REPORTEDLY INVITED.
2. COMMENT: FESTIVAL PREPARATIONS HAVE NOT RECEIVED MUCH
COVERAGE IN LOCAL PRESS YET AND NO INDICATION OF WHO MAY ATTEND.
IT IS VIRTUAL CERTAINTY THAT FESTIVAL WILL BE OCCASION FOR MUCH
ANTI- AMERICAN PROPAGANDA AND THAT AMERICANS WHO ATTEND WILL BE
EXPLOITED FOR THIS PURPOSE. I STRONGLY RECOMMEND DEPT ATTEMPT TO
DISSUADE ANY AMERICANS FROM ATTENDING.
LOWRIE
CONFIDENTIAL
*** Current Handling Restrictions *** n/a
*** Current Classification *** CONFIDENTIAL

Raw content

CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 01 BAGHDA 00116 151101 Z
13- R
ACTION NEA-12
INFO OCT-01 ADP-00 SS-14 CU-04 PRS-01 INR-09 RSR-01 RSC-01
INRE-00 /043 W
--------------------- 059837
P 130911 Z MAR 73
FM USINT BAGHDAD
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 201
C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 0116
E. O. 11652: GDS
TAGS: SCIL, IZ US
SUBJ: IRAQI INVITATIONS TO U. S. CITIZENS FOR PALESTINIAN FILM
FESTIVAL
REF: STATE 43729
1. PALESTINE FILM FESTIVAL TO BE HELD MAR 19 TO 22 UNDER
SPONSORSHIP OF IRAQI STATE ORGANIZATION FOR RADIO, TV AND
CINEMA AND WITH COOPERATION OF ARAB LEAGUE AND PLO. OPENING
DATE CHOSEN TO COINCIDE WITH 5 TH ANNIVERSARY OF BATTLE OF
KARAMEH. ACCORDING TO REUTER' S, FESTIVAL WAS INSPIRED BY
DESIRE OF DELEGATES TO 1969 LEIPZIG FILM FESTIVAL TO DRAMATIZE
PALESTINIAN CAUSE. OVER 200 ARAB AND FOREIGN FILM AND TV
PERSONALITIES REPORTEDLY INVITED.
2. COMMENT: FESTIVAL PREPARATIONS HAVE NOT RECEIVED MUCH
COVERAGE IN LOCAL PRESS YET AND NO INDICATION OF WHO MAY ATTEND.
IT IS VIRTUAL CERTAINTY THAT FESTIVAL WILL BE OCCASION FOR MUCH
ANTI- AMERICAN PROPAGANDA AND THAT AMERICANS WHO ATTEND WILL BE
EXPLOITED FOR THIS PURPOSE. I STRONGLY RECOMMEND DEPT ATTEMPT TO
DISSUADE ANY AMERICANS FROM ATTENDING.
LOWRIE
CONFIDENTIAL
*** Current Handling Restrictions *** n/a
*** Current Classification *** CONFIDENTIAL